The transitional Syrian President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is scheduled to request the extradition of former President Bashar al-Assad during his visit to the Russian capital, Moscow, on Wednesday, a Syrian source told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Al-Sharaa arrived in Moscow on Thursday where he is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a Syrian government source and a Syrian Foreign Ministry source on Tuesday. This marks Al-Sharaa’s first visit since assuming power following the fall of Russian ally Bashar al-Assad’s rule last December.
The government source disclosed that Al-Sharaa is accompanied by the Foreign Minister and key military and economic officials.
Discussions with President Putin are expected to cover economic files related to investment, the status of Russian military bases in Syria, and the crucial topic of rearming the new Syrian army.
In a related context, the transitional Syrian President affirmed in an interview with the American network CBS last Monday that he intends to use all legal means to prosecute al-Assad. He added that engaging in a direct conflict with Russia at this time would be “extremely costly” and not in the country’s best interest.
